Cathedrals are known for being grand. They’re usually gorgeous works with towering steeples and ornate paintings adorning their walls, but one thing they typically aren’t is built from concrete.
Non-traditional cathedrals now exist up and down the country, but there is one that did it first. And it’s now been upgraded from Grade II* to Grade I listed status in recognition of how it ‘transformed British cathedral design’ when it was built between 1962-67. The building in question is the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, which the archduke of Liverpool has described as ‘the soul of the city’.
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Being Grade I listed is no small feat. Only 2.5 percent of the buildings which Historic England (HE) has given listed status are awarded this coveted rank, which is only for places of ‘exceptional interest’. Liverpool Metropolitan cathedral, a modern, neo-gothic work of art, definitely fits the bill.
The circular chapel, sometimes referred to as the Wigwam for its tent-like shape, changed the way architects thought about church design, according to a spokesperson for HE, who explained its ‘revolutionary centralised plan, representing a radical departure from traditional designs’ was highly influential. By putting the altar at the centre of the space, rather than just at the front, designer Edwin Lutyens opened up a world of opportunities for modern church architecture.
Steve Rotheram, Liverpool’s Mayor, described the Metropolitan Cathedral as ‘one of [the city’s] most iconic landmarks’, adding that ‘the bold, modern design broke new ground and has become a beacon of faith, hope and innovation, not just for our region but across the world’. Local MP Kim Johnson echoed these statements, noting that this upgrade in status ‘rightly honours its architectural significance and the prominent place it holds in our skyline – a true jewel in Liverpool's crown.’
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